Thanks to McGonagall's goal of house unity, Harry was sitting in a room full of gryffindors, ravenclaws, hufflepuffs, and slytherins. After one too many fights between himself and Malfoy, McGonagall declared a party between all the upperclassmen (Years 6 and up). It was meant to be an innocent, let's stop trying to kill each other, party. That changed when someone brought alcohol into the mix.
Everyone should know alcohol and gryffindors do not mix. Seamus was on a table with his shirt off, dancing to music that wasn't there. On the side you could see Dean watching him with a glazed look on his face. Lavender was going around kissing every person, regardless of house or gender. Ron was giving a piggyback ride to a giggling Hermione. They kept swaying back and forth and Harry thought it might be a good idea to stop them before they got hurt.
As he got up to do just that, he heard something behind him that made him feel a chill that ran to his bones. "They may as well just bring people straight from Azkaban to this school. Letting death-eater scum like you in," a boy said. Harry thought it sounded awfully like Micheal Corner.
He turned to see Malfoy staring down Micheal with his teeth clenched. His heart ached at the sight. Micheal shoved Malfoy slightly back, and before Harry knew it, he was stalking up to them and drawing his wand. In a blink of an eye, Micheal was laying on the floor, a full body binding curse keeping him in place. Malfoy looked down at his body and then up again to meet Harry's face.
If possible, his face became harder than it was before. Harry gulped as Malfoy stepped up to him. "I can handle myself, Potter," Malfoy spat. Anger was swimming in his eyes and for a moment, Harry couldn't look away.
"I'm sure you can, Malfoy. I've wanted to do that to that little git since fifth year. It isn't about you," Harry snapped back. He let his jaw clench and his hands formed fists at his sides.
Pansy stepped up next to Malfoy and said, "Leave us alone Potter. None of us want to see your 'heroics' tonight." Harry could feel a crowd forming. He was regretting making such a scene.
"Is there a problem, Harry?" Dean asked. He had stepped in to back Harry up, along with Seamus (still shirtless), Ron, Ginny, and Luna. Though, Luna didn't seem to notice the tension; Harry assumed she was just following her girlfriend, Ginny.
Harry opened his mouth to say 'No,' but someone else spoke before he could. "There wouldn't be if Savior boy would just mind his own damn business," a new voice, Blaise Zabini, said. Harry looked back to Malfoy to see apprehension clouding his gaze. Neither of them wanted this. There were more slytherins and gryffindors coming up to face each other. Alcohol had made everyone more confrontational it seemed.
Harry wasn't sure who casted first, but soon hexes and jinxes were flying throughout the room. Instinctively, Harry cast a Protego charm to surround him and Draco. Draco who had wide eyes and a look of fear in his face. "Hey," Harry said softly.
"Harry," Draco said in an apologetic tone. Harry nodded in understanding. He took down the protective shield and held his wand up. They began to cast spells at each other, all "missing" their intended target.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry cast and Draco's wand shot out of his hand and towards him. Harry gave a small apologetic smile that only Draco could see and then turned to see the utter chaos around them. Distracted, he didn't see Draco move towards him. He reached for his wand and then they were struggling. They were so close. If Harry moved just a little closer... but no, he couldn't do that. Right as Draco regained contour of his wand, Hermione's voice sprung out into the room,
"Please! Stop it! All of you!" Everyone froze at the witches words. No one wanted to cross the brightest with of their age. As everyone stared at Hermione, Harry and Draco stared at each other. Millions of thoughts and emotions running across both their faces. Harry wished with all he had that he could just move and close the small gap between them. It was only a couple of inches. They stared into each other's eyes and Harry saw Draco give the smallest of nods.
"You guys act like you're five years old! The war is over, if you haven't noticed. We all need to grow up and move on. No more animosity. It's childish and-" Hermione cut off with a gasp, staring at Harry who was snogging Draco Malfoy on the other side of the room. Everyone followed her gaze. Their was an eruption of disgusted sounds, exclamations, and even cheers. Harry and Draco didn't stop.
"Alright everyone," Hermione called, gaining everyone's attention once more. "I think it's time to go to our dormitories and get some sleep." To everyone's dismay, she filed everyone out and placed a quick silencing charm on the room they just exited.
"Harry," Draco gasped, breaking the kiss. They stared at each other in disbelief for a few seconds. Looking around, they saw that they were alone.
"I think we just came out to everyone," Harry said. Draco's eyes widened in realization.
"Oh god," he let out. His breathing was becoming shallow and Harry quickly released him.
"Hey breathe," Harry said. "Count with me by threes: 3, 6, 9..." Draco counted with him all the way to 100 and then 200. His heart was till beating rapidly, but his breathing was slowly returning to normal.
"Do we need to try something else?" Harry asked. Draco nodded fervently and Harry took a calming breath. "Okay let's breath in long and slow," Harry said and Draco did. "Feel the tension in your muscles." Draco focused on the tenseness of his body. "Now breathe out slowly, allowing the tension to leave your body. Tell your body to relax and focus on loosening your body," Harry said. He did it as Draco did. "Do this until you feel better," Harry instructed and Draco followed through everything again. After about five times, his body felt more relaxed. His breathing was normal and although his heartbeat wasn't exactly normal, it was slower.
"Better?" Harry asked. Draco nodded and moved towards him. His arms opened to accommodate Draco and they embraced. "Everything will be okay. It'll be crazy at first, but soon they'll get another piece of gossip and leave us alone," Harry soothed. Draco hummed. "It'll be okay," Harry said. Crazily enough, it was okay, because they were together.
